RULES AND REGULATIONS

2019 TOURNAMENT SERIES

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following rules will be the standard and official rules throughout the tournament series.The director reserves the right to refuse any entry/application.

The Tournament Director(s) shall have final and ultimate say on any and all decisions/issues concerning any aspect of the Eufaula Bass Trail.

The Tournament Director(s) reserves the right to cancel/reschedule any tournament. In the case of cancellation all registered entrants will receive a credit towards the next Eufaula Bass Trail tournament. Otherwise, Tournament entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE

Five fish limit. You must cull on the 6th fish. Weighing in more than 5 fish will result in the loss of the largest fish.

Blast off at safe light and weigh in at 3:00 CST (unless otherwise decided). The last registered boat will be responsible for handling blast off.

Adequate/Working Live Wells are mandatory on each boat and must provide proper aeration, sufficient to maintain fish in good condition. In the case of a boat without built in live wells, a large ice chest with portable aerators will be acceptable, if approved by Tournament Director prior to tournament.

Only 14 inch fish will be weighed. A short fish weighed will result in a two pound penalty. A courtesy measure with no penalty will be allowed. A dead fish penalty of one-half (½) pound per dead fish will be subtracted from the total weight. Any team weighing in more than five fish will have their creel culled down to five fish, starting with their largest fish. Any team weighing in a fish shorter than minimum legal length will be assessed a one (1) pound penalty plus the loss of that fish. Contestants are urged to witness their weigh in.

Permitted Fishing Methods: Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork trailers. Only one fishing rod per angler may be used at any one time and that rod may not exceed 8 feet. Additional rods may be in the boat and ready for use; however, each cast and retrieve must be completed before another cast is attempted or rod is used. Trolling with the combustion engine as a method of fishing is prohibited.

Switching or sharing fish with other teams or individuals is a violation of these rules and will result in immediate disqualification. All Bass much be caught alive, in a conventional, sporting manner.

When sight fishing for Bass, all fish must be hooked inside the mouth to be counted as a legal fish.

All angling must be conducted from the boat. At no time may a Contestant leave the boat to land a fish, or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters.

In case of a boat breakdown, fish may be bagged and transported by another tournament boat. One team member must accompany boat.

The 25 yard rule between boats is in effect, if invoked. Boats invoking this rule must be anchored and stationary with the trolling motor stowed.

Partners must stay together at all times. Leaving the boat, except in an emergency will result in a disqualification. (unless approved by a tournament director).

Each team is allowed to use an alternate for up to two events. In the event a team elects to use an alternate, it is the duty/responsibility of the team to advise the Tournament Director(s) that an alternate is being used and to provide the name and information of the alternate prior to blast off. Alternates may not fish classic.

Only two people allowed per boat.

A team member may fish solo, but must pay full team dues and entry.

Total Points accumulated will be used to determine Angler of the Year. Classic take-off will be determined by AOY standings.

No use of alcohol or illegal drugs will be permitted during tournament hours. In the event of any issue and/or concern regarding whether someone is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the Tournament Director’s determination of same shall be final.

Sportsmanship: Any contestant who, in the discretion of the Tournament Director, displays poor sportsmanship and/or violates any rule may be subject to disqualification.

Teams must fish SIX tournaments to qualify for the classic.

Protests must be presented to the Tournament Director(s) in writing before or during weigh-in. All Tournament Director decisions are final.

No locking through: Must fish Lake Eufaula only. No fishing in posted marina or any off-limits areas.

Each team will be assigned a boat number. Weigh in time and instructions will be provided. Each team is required to leave from and return to the designated location. All contestants must check in with the Tournament Director prior to blast off. Contestants must blast off at the time, location, and in the manner prescribed/directed by the Tournament Director. Unless approved by the Tournament Director, prior to blast off, both team members must be in the boat at the time of blast off. Any team returning to the check in point after their appointed check in time will be assessed a 1 pound penalty per minute up to ten minutes. After ten minutes, the team will be disqualified from weighing in their fish.

Participation and Eligibility: Participation is open to fishermen who are approved by the Tournament Director and are 18 years old and older. Eligibility and participation in any Eufaula Bass Trail event is subject to the discretion of the Tournament Director. The Eufaula Bass Trail reserves the right to reject any participant. Any person entering a Eufaula Bass Trail Tournament under the age of 18 years must also have the signed permission of their parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the official entry form. No substitutes allowed for the championship. A team consists of two partners, each partner must physically compete in a minimum of two qualifiers to qualify for the championship. Any individual who has paid more than $500.00 to fish a tournament must receive approval from the Tournament Director(s) prior to being allowed to fish.

All regular season events are team events. A team shall consist of no more than two anglers. A Contestant (and official observer, if required by Tournament Director) may fish alone as a single person team (Tournament Director reserves the right to place an observer in any Contestant’s boat) for the tournament day. Anyone who wishes to fish alone must notify the Tournament Director and receive permission prior to blast off. Only registered Contestants may be in the boat during official tournament days.

Safety: Safe boating practices must be observed at all times. All contestants MUST wear a Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver any time the boat is on plane. All boats must be equipped with an ignition kill switch. This kill switch must be attached to the driver’s body while combustion engine is operating. (Violation of this or any other rule may result in disqualification). In the event of inclement weather, the decision of whether to blast off or continuing fishing is solely in the discretion of the angler. The Eufaula Bass Trail will not be liable for any injuries that occur due to weather.

Boat and Motor: The tournament director reserves the right to prohibit any boat from participating in the start if such boat is considered unsafe or the operator unqualified. Boats equipped with motor horsepower in excess of factory or BIA rating will not be allowed.

Scoring & Penalties – SCORING: Each team may weigh five fish with a minimum length of 14 inches.

Ties: Prize money for tied positions will be combined and divided equally among the teams.

Reserved Areas: No person may “hold” or “reserve” a fishing area for a contestant at any time. Infraction of this rule will result in disqualification of all parties involved.

Insurance: It is the responsibility of all boat owners to have valid liability insurance to participate in this event. Tournament Director reserves the right to require production of proof of insurance. Failure to do so will result in not being allowed to participate in and/or being disqualified from the event.

Each contestant must pay a fifty dollar “membership fee.” One hundred percent (100%) of the membership fees will be paid back.

Fishing License: Each contestant will observe State Fish and Game laws and have in his or her possession a valid state fishing license.

All contestants consent to and are subject to polygraph examination, at the discretion of the Tournament Director. The time and place of the polygraph examination is subject to the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Registration: For the 2019 Eufaula Bass Trail schedule, early registration will be allowed. Early registration will be open between January 28, 2019 and February 10, 2019 for all persons/teams who wish to register for all tournaments. Early registration of all tournaments will require a total payment of $740.00 and can be made the following ways:
1. Through the Eufaula Bass Trail website.
2. By mailing a check to Eufaula Bass Trail c/o Joe Durham at 2531 Lafayette Plaza Drive, Suite E, Albany, Georgia 31707. Boat number will be determined on a first paid basis. Persons/teams who pay via credit card may be forced to pay a 3% surcharge.